Quote/Unquote

I laughed out loud in public when I was reading The Australian Media section today.

They published a correction AAP made on an APEC story about pandas' mating habits (September 18th). Here it is:

Please correct quote attributed to Foreign Minister Alexander Downer to read only: "I'm glad I wasn't born a panda." The incorrect additional quote "Suck on that" was wrongly attributed to Mr Downer. In fact a zoo official with Mr Downer said: "I second that."

Too too funny.

I don't know how they discovered what was supposedly originally said but two thing can be taken from this for journalists:

1. If there's a possibility someone like Mr Downer said "suck on that" or something to that effect, make sure he 100% actually said it before you publish it.
2. Umm listen? Take better notes?
   

There is the possibility that Mr Downer's PR people put pressure on AAP to print the "real" comments but... either way, it's a lesson in note taking & quote-making for all involved!